This book was disappointing. The premise of the book makes it seem like it would be a good read, but the actual book was a confusing read that wasn't enjoyable at all. The language and writing style were annoying, as they really took away the ability to enjoy this book.

Dark Understanding is a difficult book to review. The evocation of life under an entrenched military dictatorship was fascinating and had the irrefutable ring of fact. Unfortunately, I found the novel nearly unreadable. It reads as if it were written in a language other than English then translated by a computer. The awkwardness of the sentences and difficulty teasing out spoiled any emotional connection I might have had with the characters. An example: “The set of narratives that circulated in the media of “experts” with their views had no credence to the preparation to ensure the next encounters do not end with the dire consequences.”